Oba Sanusi Olusi (died 1935) was a wealthy trader who succeeded

Ibikunle Akitoye Ibikunle Alfred Akitoye (1871–1928) was Oba of Lagos from 1925 to 1928 during what some historians refer to as the "Interregnum" years of the exiled Oba Eshugbayi Eleko. Ibikunle Akitoye was the first western educated and Christian Oba of Lagos ...

Oba of Lagos The Oba of Lagos, also known as the Eleko of Eko, is the traditional ruler ( Oba) of Lagos. The Oba is a ceremonial Yoruba sovereign with no political power, but is sought as a counsel or sponsor by politicians who seek support from the residen ...

from 1928 to 1931 during what some historians refer to as the "Interregnum" years of the exiled Oba

Eshugbayi Eleko Oba Eshugbayi Eleko (died 1932), alias ''"Eleko of Eko"'', was the Oba of Lagos from 1901 to 1925, and from 1931 to 1932. His father was Oba Dosunmu. Eleko's struggles and legal victory over the British colonial government symbolized the struggle ...

. Oba Sanusi Olusi was a grandson of Olusi, and great grandson of Oba

Ologun Kutere Ologun Kutere reigned as Oba of Lagos from around the 1780s to around 1803. He succeeded Oba Eletu Kekere who reigned between 1775 and 1780. "Ologun" is the Yoruba word for "War General". Ologun Kutere was the product of the marriage between Erelu ...

. Sanusi Olusi was the first Muslim Oba of Lagos.

Career and ascendancy to Oba of Lagos

Sanusi Olusi was a trader residing at 25 Bridge Street in Idumota. He previously contested the Obaship of Lagos in 1925 but lost to then Prince

. Shortly after his property at Bridge Street was acquired by the British colonial government in Nigeria, he was installed

upon the death of Oba Ibikunle Akitoye. Sanusi Olusi's property was acquired by the government for the construction of

Carter Bridge Carter Bridge built in 1901 is one of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, the other are the Third Mainland and Eko bridges. At the time of its construction, this was the only bridge connection between the mainland and Lagos ...

Deposition as Oba of Lagos

Upon the return of the previously deposed and deported Oba Eshugbayi Eleko, Sanusi Olusi was asked to vacate the palace (

Iga Idunganran Iga Idunganran is the Official Residence of the Oba of Lagos, situated on Lagos Island. It is also a tourist attraction. History Dating back to the 15th century, the Lagos Island was originally owned by the island's first inhabitant Chief Aro ...

) and was given a £1,000 house along Broad Street by the British colonial government plus an annual allowance of £400 annually. At a later time he was given his own place at Oke-Arin known as Iga Olusi.

Re-contesting the Obaship of Lagos in 1932

Upon Oba Eshugbayi Eleko's death in 1932, Sanusi Olusi contested the Obaship, this time going against Prince Falolu Dosunmu but lost the contest. There was some tension between Sanusi Olusi and Oba Falolu Dosunmu - In 1935, Oba Falolu protested what he perceived as Sanusi Olusi's overbearing behavior: using the royal insignia and acting and dressing as though he were the Oba. In response to Oba Falolu's protest Governor Cameron asked Sanusi Olusi to desist from such behavior.

Death

Sanusi Olusi died in 1935 and was buried at Okesuna cemetery.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Olusi, Sanusi People from Lagos 1935 deaths Obas of Lagos Nigerian royalty Nigerian Muslims 20th-century Nigerian people History of Lagos Yoruba monarchs Muslim monarchs People from colonial Nigeria Ologun-Kutere family